The UCI has awarded 2.HC status to the Tour of Britain, giving the British race a category just below WorldTour level. It now is on par with the Critérium International, Belgium Tour or Tour of Austria.

Race director Mick Bennett commented: “We are delighted by today's announcement, which comes as a culmination of ten year's hard work. The 2.HC status is another step forward for the Tour of Britain, and the upgrade is also a reward for the many hundreds of thousands of spectators who have lined the route and cheered on the race over the past decade.“

One consequence of the upgrade is that the Irish-registered An Post-Chainreaction team won't be able to participate this year. The team has several young British riders, and has previously won two stages of the race: In 2011 Gediminas Bagdonas won stage 7 from a breakaway, and last year Sam Bennett beat renowned riders like Elmiger, Wiggins, Quintana and Dan Martin on stage 5 into Caerphilly.

An Post-Chainreaction's British riders could, however, be included in a British national team. And with the team hoping to step up to Professional Continental status for 2015, the exclusion might be a one-off.

The 2014 Tour of Britain will take place from Sunday 7th to Sunday 14th September; the exact route of the race will be announced later this spring.